Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning after a meeting in Kyiv earlier this month, people familiar with the matter said, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Abramovich, Ukrainian lawmaker Rustem Umerov, and another negotiator developed symptoms following the March 3 meeting in Kyiv that included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands, the people said. Abramovich has shuttled between Moscow, Belarus, and other negotiating venues since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Some of the people familiar with the matter blamed the suspected attack on hard-liners in Moscow who they said wanted to sabotage talks to end the war.

Abramovich and others involved in the incident since have improved, and their lives aren’t in danger, the people said. 

An informed source confirmed to Reuters that the incident had taken place, but Roman Abramovich did not allow it to change his work plans.